Starting control device for running events

ABSTRACT

A track mountable starting control device for running events wherein a central rail is resiliently suspended from a stationary support rail. The support rail is detachably secured to the running track by the use of a spiked base. The central rail surrounds the support rail and has laterally formed apertures therein for receiving starting blocks. The starting blocks may be positioned in any of the apertures, on either side of the central rail, according to the requirements of the particular runner using the device. A contact device is provided on the support rail so that the movement of the central rail, which occurs when the runner is leaving the blocks, will signal the start of the event.

United States Patent 1 Fichter et a1.

[451 Apr. 3, 1973 {54] STARTING CONTROL DEVICE FOR RUNNING EVENTS [73] Assignee: Firma Gebruder Junghans GmbH,

Schramberg, Germany [22] Filed: Jan.22, 1971 21 App1.No.: 108,719

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data [58] Field of Search...272/59 A; 273/187 R; 340/323 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1959 Hondorp ..272/59 A 2,937,871 5/1960 McCafferty ..272/59 A 3,384,377 5/1968 Stipp ..273/187 R 3,494,615 2/1970 Moore... ..272/59 A 3,608,897 9/1971 Ross ..272/59 A Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Richard J. Apley Attorney-Burns, Doane, Swecker & Mathis [57] ABSTRACT A track mountable starting control device for running events wherein a central rail is resiliently suspended from a stationary support rail. The support rail is detachably secured to the running track by the use of a spiked base. The central rail surrounds the support rail and has laterally formed apertures therein for receiving'starting blocks. The starting blocks may be positioned in any of the apertures, on either side of the central rail,'according to the requirements of the particular runner using the device. A contact device is provided on the support rail so that the movement of the central rail, which occurs when the runner is leaving the blocks, will signal the start of the event.

19 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Lvm STARTING CONTROL DEVICE FOR RUNNING EVENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a starting control device for running events, having a starting signal device and a starting machine comprising a stationary element secured on the track and a central bar provided with starting blocks and adapted to be resiliently displaced relatively to the stationary element. A contact device adapted to be actuated by the displacement and a stop limiting the displacement are also provided.

In a known device of this kind, the starting blocks are secured to a rail or bar arranged to be displaceable somewhat on the ground with the bar engaged, at its rear end, in the housing of a contact device. This known device is costly 'in construction and inconvenient to manipulate. In particular, when securing the device on the track accurate adjustment is necessary. This accurate adjustment takes a considerable amount of time. Furthermore, reliable securing of the starting blocks is not guaranteed. I

In the prior art a screwing means was provided for securing the starting blocks. Such screwing means may,

' however, involve difficulty since it may, under some circumstances, be so vigorously tightened by a powerful runner that a weaker runner is no longer able to release it.

The invention is based on solving the problem of how to provide a starting control device of the type mentioned which will be simple in design and guarantee the entirely satisfactory functioning and adjusting of the starting blocks. This is, according to the invention, achieved by the arrangement whereby the stationary portion is a support bar or rail arranged in spaced relationship with respect to the track and supported, .in raised position, at its ends on the track. The central rail is designed as a box structure surrounding the support rail and having laterally formed apertures therein for positively securing the starting blocks. The central rail is suspended resiliently from the stationary rail in the longitudinal direction in spaced relationship with respect to the track.

The central rail carrying the starting blocks is, in this manner, always readily displaced independently of the nature of the ground. Furthermore, a positive connection between the adjustable starting blocks and the central rail is assured, without screwing means being necessary for this purpose.

Preferably there are provided, for supporting the support rail, legs on which spikes are arranged for engaging in the track. Expediently, the support rail is supported, forwardly in the direction of running, by a centrally arranged leg. Rearwardly, the support rail is supported, by two laterally arranged legs. In this way, securing of the starting machine is accomplished by simply setting-down the machine on the track. Thus, on a plastic track, for example, this may be achieved without it being necessary to additionally secure the machine by means of nails. Furthermore, lateral wobble is avoided, even when the track is uneven.

The central rail may be designed as an upwardlyopen box structure. In this case, it will be possible to manufacture it from a conventional channel section. The central rail may, however, also be designed in the form of a closed box structure. In both cases, there may be provided, apertures for securing the starting blocks, in the lateral walls of the central rail, and upwardly opening slots which preferably form with the longitudinal axis of the rail an acute angle of an appropriate amount, such as approximately The starting blocks may then be engaged, with lateral projections taking for example the form of pins, in a simple manner in the slots, whereby absolutely safe securing is achieved. On starting, a rearwardly acting force is exerted on the blocks, whereby, due to the inclined slots, the starting machine is drawn against the ground so that slipping of the entire starting machine is prevented.

The support rail may be designed as a hollow frame and serve for receiving electrical leads. Advantageously, this hollow frame or hollow beam may also contain a lead feeding a soundgenerator arranged directly on the starting machine and supplying an acoustic starting signal. In this way, not only are varying sound-travel times to the various runners practically eliminated but furthermore the sound travel time is kept at a practically negligibly low level. Furthermore, it becomes possible to use a single cable as a lead to the starting contact and for feeding the sound generator. On adjusting the starting machine, it is, thus, unnecessary to additionally adjust a sound generator.

As the sound generator, a loudspeaker may expediently be used. The sound generator may be arranged for example on a rail or also directly on a starting block. Also, the arrangement of a plurality of sound generators on a starting machine is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is discussed in greater detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first-embodiment of a starting control device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a lateral elevational view of the device according to FIG. 1, individual elements being shown broken-away, for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 shows a section taken along the line IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a partial illustration of a second example of an embodiment of a starting control device according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a detail view ofa starting block used for the starting control device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a detail view of a starting block constituting a variant with respect to FIG. 5;

FIG. '7 shows a partial view of a rail or bar at one end of which a sound generator is arranged;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a starting block provided with a sound generator.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, reference numeral 10 designates a support rail which may be designed as a square hollow frame or bearer. The support rail 10 has, at its ends, support legs 10a and 10b secured on bases 11, 12

' and 13. The bases carry spikes 20 adapted to engage in the surface of a track and to the support rail.

Arranged on the support rail 10 are projections 14 from which, with the aid of U-shaped leaf springs 15, a

prevent displacement of U-shaped central rail 21 is suspended. Central rail 21 is displaceable somewhat in its longitudinal direction. The central rail has slots formed in its sides. The slots form an acute angle of substantially 75 with the longitudinal axis of the rail. The slots 22 serve for engagement of the starting blocks (to be described later).

Secured to the support rail 10, with the aid of an angle member 16, is a contact device 17 co-operating with a stop 18 on the displaceable central rail 21. The stop 18 is adjustable with the aid of a screw 19, so that actuation of the contact device 17 is adjustable. The screw 19 is accessible through an aperture 100. The contact device 17 is connected, via a lead 29 extending through the hollow frame with a plug 27 at the rear end. Plug 27 may be connected, via a plug-in cable, with an indicator device (not shown). In addition to the cable 29 for the contact device 17, there may also be provided a feed conductor for a sound generator (source of sound), which is not shown, and which may be attached directly on the starting machine, for example on the support rail or also on one of the starting blocks. The sound generator may also for example be attached at the forward portion 10a of the support rail, in order that it may be in,the immediate vicinity of the runner.

Provided at the rear end of the central rail 21 is a stop 23 against which bears a spring 26 the bias of which is adjustable with the aid of a set screw 25 adapted to be screwedin a screwthread formed in strap 24. The spring 26 presses the central rail 21 forwardly into a position such that the contact device 17 is not actuated. When the runner starts the central rail 21 is moved-back against the force of spring 26, whereby the contact device 17 is actuated.

The front and rear zones of the U-shaped central rail 21 may be covered by caps 30 (FIG. 1).

In another embodiment (FIG. 4), the central rail is also U-shaped but the open side faces downwardly. In this case, the central rail is designated 42. The slots 43 for securing the starting blocks are provided here in the same manner, but there are formed in the web of the channel section additional slots extending in the longitudinal direction. It would also be conceivable to design the central rail as a closed box structure.

A starting block is shown in detail in FIG. 5. It comprises two lateral plates 31 formed in the front portion with an aperture for receiving a pivot 34 about which abutment 32, properly sized for the runners feet is pivotally mounted. The front side of the abutment 32 may be given a covering 33 of plastic material which reliably prevents slipage. At the rearward portion, the abutment32 carries a pivot 35 which is pressed forwardly in a slot by means of a spring (not shown) and engages in a tooth-like arrangement 36. With the aid of toothing 36 the advance of the angle of incidence of the abutment 32 is made possible. At the lateral plates 31 there may be arranged an angle member 37 provided internally with a pin 38. For securing to the central rail 21 or 42, the angle member 37 is fitted from above on the centralrail. The angle member engages over the lateral wall of the central rail 21 and the pin 38 engages in the slot 22. In this manner, without any kind of screwing means, absolutely reliable retaining of the starting block is assured.

As shown in FIG. 6, instead of securing angle member 37 of FIG. 5, it would also be possible to provide some other mode of securing. In thiscase, there are provided two headed pins 39 adapted to engage in two adjacent slots 22 and 43 respectively.

The starting blocks may be provided on both sides with a retaining angle member 37 or with headed pins 39, so that they may be used on both sides of the central rail 21m 42.

With reference to FIG. 2, it should also be pointed out that the central rail 21 is displaceable relative to the support rail 10 through a small distance designated a in FIG. 2. This possible displacement may be adjusted with the aid of an adjustable stop 28. In the example of the embodiment according to FIG. 2, adjustable stop 28 takes the form of an eccentric.

FIG. 7 shows the front end of a rail for securing starting blocks as described hereinabove. The rail is provided at one end (preferably the front end) with a housing 61 containing a source of sound, for example a loudspeaker 63, connected via alead 62' with a signal source supplying electrical signals which energize the loudspeaker.

FIG. 8 shows a starting block having an installed sound generator, for example a loudspeaker 65, with feed cable 66.

We claim:

1. A track mountable starting control device for running events having a starting signal device and a starting machine comprising:

stationary means comprising track engaging means located generally at ends thereof and an elongated support rail extending therebetween, said support rail being disposed in a raised position relative to said track engaging means;

an elongated central rail resiliently supported on said support rail and spaced above said track engaging means, said central rail being longitudinally displaceable relative to said support rail, and said central rail having apertures laterally formed thereon;

stop means carried by said central rail and said support rail and operable to limit longitudinal displacementof said central rail relative to said support rail;

a contact device carried by said support rail and cooperating with and actuatable upon contact with a second stop means carried by said central rail upon longitudinal displacement of said central rail relative to said support rail;

biasing means normally biasing said central rail to a position where said contact device is-not actuated; and

starting block means detachably secured on said central rail through cooperation with said apertures.

2. The starting control device according to claim 1,

wherein said track engaging means includes base members having spikes engageable in said track.

3. The starting control device according to claim 2 wherein said track engaging means further includes a centrally arranged forwardly mounted support base and two rearwardly mounted laterally arranged support bases.

4. The starting control device according'to claim 1,

wherein said central rail comprises a U-shaped box structure.

5. The starting control device according to claim 4, wherein said central rail is upwardly open.

6. The starting control device according to claim 4, wherein said central rail is downwardly open.

7. The starting control device according to claim 1, wherein said central rail comprises a closed box structure.

8. The starting control device according to claim 1, wherein said laterally formed apertures for securing said starting block means comprise upwardly open slots formed in the lateral walls of said central rail.

9. The starting control device according to claim 8, wherein said slots form an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of said central rail.

10. The starting control device according to claim 9, wherein said angle between said slots and the longitudinal axis of the central rail is approximately 75.

1 1. The starting control device according to claim 1,

I wherein said central rail further comprises U-shaped leaf springs for suspending said central rail at its ends from said support rail.

12. The starting control device according to claim 1 5 14. The starting control device according to claim 1, wherein said support rail comprises a hollow frame having electrical leads therein.

15. The starting control device according to claim 1 wherein said starting block means laterally include at least one projection, said projection engageable with said at least one of said apertures formed in said central rail.

16. The starting control device according to claim 15, wherein said starting block means additionally include a retaining angle member engageable with said projection.

17. The starting control device according to claim 1, including a sound generator for supplying starting signals, said generator being arranged directly on said starting machine.

18. The starting control device according to claim 1, including a sound generator for supplying starting signals, said generator being arranged on said starting block means.

' 19. The starting control device according to claim 17, wherein said sound generator is arranged at the forward portion of said support rail. 

1. A track mountable starting control device for running events having a starting signal device and a starting machine comprising: stationary means comprising track engaging means located generally at ends thereof and an elongated support rail extending therebetween, said support rail being disposed in a raised position relative to said track engaging means; an elongated central rail resiliently supported on said support rail and spaced above said track engaging means, said central rail being longitudinally displaceable relative to said support rail, and said central rail having apertures laterally formed thereon; stop means carried by said central rail and said support rail and operable to limit longitudinal displacement of said central rail relative to said support rail; a contact device carried by said support rail and cooperating with and actuatable upon contact with a second stop means carried by said central rail upon longitudinal displacement of said central rail relative to said support rail; biasing means normally biasing said central rail to a position where said contact device is not actuated; and starting block means detachably secured on said central rail through cooperation with said apertures.
 2. The starting control device according to claim 1, wherein said track engaging means includes base members having spikes engageable in said track.
 3. The starting control device according to claim 2 wherein said track engaging means further includes a centrally arranged forwardly mounted support base and two rearwardly mounted laterally arranged support bases.
 4. The starting control device according to claim 1, wherein said central rail comprises a U-shaped box structure.
 5. The starting control device according to claim 4, wherein said central rail is upwardly open.
 6. The starting control device according to claim 4, wherein said central rail is downwardly open.
 7. The starting control device according to claim 1, wherein said central rail comprises a closed box structure.
 8. The starting control device according to claim 1, wherein said laterally formed apertures for securing said starting block means comprise upwardly open slots formed in the lateral walls of said central rail.
 9. The starting control device according to claim 8, wherein said slots form an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of said central rail.
 10. The starting control device according to claim 9, wherein said angle between said slots and the longitudinal axis of the central rail is approximately 75* .
 11. The starting control device according to claim 1, wherein said central rail further comprises U-shaped leaf springs for suspending said central rail at its ends from said support rail.
 12. The starting control device according to claim 1 wherein said contact device is secured at a front portion of said support rail within said central rail and wherein said stop means is selectively adjustable.
 13. The starting control device according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means is selectively adjustable and is located adjacent a rear portion of said support rail.
 14. The starting control device according to claim 1, wherein said support rail comprises a hollow frame having electrical leads therein.
 15. The starting control device according to claim 1, wherein said starting block means laterally include at least one projection, said projection engageable with said at least one of said apertures formed in said central raiL.
 16. The starting control device according to claim 15, wherein said starting block means additionally include a retaining angle member engageable with said projection.
 17. The starting control device according to claim 1, including a sound generator for supplying starting signals, said generator being arranged directly on said starting machine.
 18. The starting control device according to claim 1, including a sound generator for supplying starting signals, said generator being arranged on said starting block means.
 19. The starting control device according to claim 17, wherein said sound generator is arranged at the forward portion of said support rail. 